🇪🇸Puerto de la Cruz

Puerto de la Cruz blends a historic fishing village with resort comfort, black-sand beaches, the Jardín Botánico, and Lago Martiánez for an easy family holiday on Tenerife.

Your family guide

Puerto de la Cruz with kids: pools & volcanic beaches

“The Atlantic pounds black volcanic rock while subtropical plants spill across colourful fishing streets and Mount Teide watches from above—this is the Canaries without the resort sprawl.”

— San & Jo

Puerto de la Cruz sits on Tenerife's northern coast and feels like a completely different world from the busy resort strips in the south. It is a real town with a real history, colourful fishing-village streets, lively plazas, and subtropical greenery spilling over black lava landscapes. Mount Teide watches over everything from the distance, and the Atlantic crashes dramatically against the shore below.

For families, this place hits a sweet spot that is genuinely hard to find. You get the comfort and convenience of a well-established resort destination, but with far more character and authenticity than most. The Jardín Botánico, founded in 1788, is one of Spain's oldest botanical gardens. Lago Martiánez, designed by celebrated Canarian architect César Manrique, is Europe's largest natural seawater pool complex. And Loro Parque, one of the world's top-rated zoos, is just a short trip away.

The town centre is compact and mostly walkable, the food scene is genuinely good, and the pace of life is relaxed enough that you can actually breathe on holiday. Whether your kids are tiny and need safe swimming pools and easy days, or older and ready to explore volcanic beaches and historic streets, Puerto de la Cruz has the ingredients for a great family trip.

North TenerifeCanary Islands, Spain

22°C averageYear-round mild climate

Best March to MayQuieter crowds, lower prices

Best things to do

Best things to do in Puerto de la Cruz

Lago Martiánez seawater pools

This is Europe's largest natural seawater pool complex, designed by Canarian architect César Manrique in the 1970s. Covering around 100,000 sqm, it features an artificial lake, landscaped gardens, sculptures, and sweeping Atlantic views. It is a genuinely spectacular place to spend a day, and the seawater pools make it feel safe and calm even for younger swimmers.

Arrive early for the best sun loungers

Half day to full day

Jardín Botánico (Botanical Garden)

Founded in 1788, this subtropical oasis is the second-oldest botanical garden in Spain. It is filled with exotic plants from the Americas and Asia, including enormous dragon trees and towering palms. The shaded paths make it a lovely escape from the midday heat, and kids tend to be genuinely amazed by the scale of some of the trees.

Free entry for children under 10

1 to 2 hours

Loro Parque

Consistently ranked as one of the top visitor attractions on Tenerife, Loro Parque is a world-famous zoo and adventure park just a short trip from the town centre. It is home to gorillas, orcas, tigers, penguins, and one of the world's largest parrot collections. Plan a full day here because there is genuinely a lot to see.

Book tickets online in advance to skip the queue

Full day

Historic old town and Plaza del Charco

The heart of Puerto de la Cruz is Plaza del Charco, a bustling central square lined with cafes, restaurants, and shops. From here you can wander into the La Ranilla fishermen's quarter, spot the Royal Customs House, and visit the Church of Nuestra Señora de la Peña de Francia. The compact historic walking route takes about 1.5 hours at a gentle pace.

Look out for the Agatha Christie Steps, each painted like one of her book spines

1.5 to 2 hours

Playa Jardín and the black-sand beaches

Playa Jardín is a striking black volcanic-sand beach with promenades, parks, and space for bodyboarding and surfing. Nearby you will also find Playa del Castillo, Playa Chica, and Playa María Jiménez. The black sand is a novelty that kids absolutely love, and the surrounding promenade makes it easy to walk between spots.

The San Telmo natural rock pools nearby are great for calmer paddling

2 to 4 hours

Taoro Park

A peaceful green space in the heart of the city, Taoro Park features the gardens of a grand historic hotel, waterfalls, and shaded walking paths. It is a lovely spot for a slow morning stroll with younger children, and a welcome break from busier attractions.

Combine with a visit to the Botanical Garden for a full green morning

1 hour

Day trips to Mount Teide and beyond

Puerto de la Cruz makes an excellent base for exploring northern Tenerife. Mount Teide, Spain's highest peak, is reachable for a day trip, as is the dramatic village of Masca. These excursions add a real sense of adventure to what is otherwise a relaxed resort stay.

Book the Teide cable car well in advance, especially in peak season

Full day

Our verdict

How Puerto de la Cruz scores for families

Kids

Safe seawater pools, black-sand beaches, a world-class zoo, and a walkable town centre make this an easy win for families with children of any age.

Culture

A genuine historic fishing town with festivals, architecture, and a botanical garden dating back to 1788. More cultural depth than most beach resorts.

Food

Excellent Canarian cuisine, family-run restaurants, and kid-friendly menus throughout the town. Papas arrugadas alone is worth the trip.

Nature

Volcanic beaches, subtropical gardens, and Mount Teide on the horizon. The natural scenery is dramatic and accessible.

Budget

Mid-range overall, with hotel prices dipping noticeably between March and May. More affordable than the southern resort towns without sacrificing quality.

Planning your visit

How long should you stay in Puerto de la Cruz?

3 days

Quick taste

Hit the old town, spend a day at Lago Martiánez, and squeeze in the Botanical Garden.

sweet spot

5 days

Sweet spot

Time for Loro Parque, the beaches, the historic centre, and a day trip to Mount Teide. This is how most families really enjoy it.

7 days

Full week

Settle in properly, catch a local festival if the timing works, explore the north of Tenerife, and repeat your favourite spots.

Fun facts

Things to know about Puerto de la Cruz

A staircase full of murder mysteries

Puerto de la Cruz has a set of steps where every single riser is painted to look like the spine of an Agatha Christie novel. Christie herself spent time on Tenerife, and the locals have never forgotten it.

They wash goats in the sea on midsummer night

Every year on the night of 23 to 24 June, the San Juan festival sees bonfires lit along the shore and a traditional goat-bathing ceremony at the fishing dock. The custom dates back to aboriginal Canarian times and is still very much alive today.

The Botanical Garden is older than the USA

The Jardín Botánico was founded in 1788, just a few years after American independence. It was originally created to acclimatise tropical plants from the Americas and Asia before sending them to mainland Spain. Some of the trees growing there today were planted over two centuries ago.

Taste Puerto de la Cruz

What to eat with your family in Puerto de la Cruz

Papas arrugadas con mojo

Kids love it

Casa Pache

The dish every family tries first and orders again every night. Small potatoes boiled in heavily salted water until the skin shrivels, served with a garlicky mojo sauce. Simple, delicious, and completely safe for picky eaters.

Puchero Canario

Local favourite

Casa Pache

A hearty, comforting stew of vegetables, chickpeas, and mixed meats that has been warming families up on the island for generations. Casa Pache does a particularly well-regarded version using traditional recipes.

Grilled goat cheese with mojo

Must try

Restaurante Régulo

Slices of local goat cheese grilled until golden and served with mojo sauce. It sounds simple but it is genuinely one of the best things you will eat on the island. Kids who like cheese almost always love this.

Bienmesabe

Daily treat

Casa Pache

A sweet, creamy dessert made from egg yolk, almonds, and cinnamon. The name literally means 'tastes good to me' in Spanish, which tells you everything you need to know. A guaranteed hit with younger children.

Creative Canarian tasting menu

Must try

El Taller Seve Díaz

El Taller Seve Díaz takes traditional Canarian ingredients and elevates them with innovative techniques. It is the place to go if you want to treat yourself to something genuinely special while the kids try dishes they have never seen before.

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